"Our commitment to obtaining LEED certification for the Mebane center is just one element of a much larger corporate commitment to sustainability in everything we do," said Allen E. Gant Jr., president of Glen Raven, a global company best known for its Sunbrella brand of performance fabrics.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was developed by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to provide building owners and operators with a framework for implementing measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. LEED certification provides points for various measures taken during construction to ensure a building is energy efficient and sustainable.

The 100,000-square-foot Tri Vantage Consolidated Distribution Center, which is located in the North Carolina Industrial Center in Mebane, began operation in the fourth quarter of 2010. The center distributes more than 10,000 industrial fabrics and components to awning, marine and furniture customers nationwide.

The company said this building's green features are numerous, including a design that is 20% more energy efficient than specified in building codes. The center features solar hot water, sensors in certain areas that turn lights on only when occupied and high-efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems that reduce energy consumption, increase comfort and assure air quality.

All plumbing fixtures are low-flow design, concrete rather than asphalt was used in parking areas to reduce heat gain, maintenance staff members follow green cleaning procedures, 30 percent of building materials used for construction contained recycled content, and adhesives, sealants, paints, fabrics and carpets used in the building contain low amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contributes to better air quality. Nearly 90% of construction waste was recycled.

"Achieving LEED Silver certification is not only the right thing to do for our associates and community, but also good business through a highly efficient operation," said Steve Ellington, president of Tri Vantage. "Our customers and suppliers are assured of working with a company that takes its environmental responsibility very seriously."Glen Raven is implementing a comprehensive sustainability program at all of its manufacturing and business centers, emphasizing increased recycling, reduced energy consumption and environmentally responsible product design and production.

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